Mating Season (2 page)

By the time he had the blanket to her waist, his hands shook. He fumbled with the fastening of her pants and felt as if he were gasping for air as he dragged the leather down along with her underwear. At the last possible moment, the blanket hooked on her belt and slipped down to conceal her privates. It stopped at the top of her thighs while he slid the material the rest of the way down her legs and off her toes.

Koll was sweating with the effort it took not to reverse course and slide his palms over her naked calves and thighs. His gaze was fixed on the shadow between her legs—a glimpse of paradise denied him by the outcropping of blanket just barely blocking his view. One flick of his finger and he could take a peek. Just a peek to see if her hair there was as white as that on her head.

He hadn't realized he'd moved until he was already gripping the bottom hem of the blanket. With a surge of self-disgust, Koll broke from his lustful trance. What was he thinking? Instead of pushing the blanket higher, he yanked it down to cover her to her ankles.

He pulled too hard. The top edge jerked low, revealing the perfect swell of her breasts and half of one delicate pink nipple. A spurt of precum instantly moistened his fly.

Koll released a ripe curse and stumbled back until he hit the wall. He tried to regain control but couldn't tear his gaze away from her. It had been too long, and despite all logic, he'd convinced himself he might succeed in bringing a woman home with him tonight. Never mind that this woman hadn't come here to winter with him. Never mind that he didn't know anything about her. He would never lay a finger on her while she was helpless like this, but—

With a growl, he stood and tore open his fly. His dick sprang out and drooled in anticipation, ready to pounce on her. Already proportionate to the rest of his body, his cock was as long and hard as Koll had ever seen it. Experienced females enjoyed his girth, while others found it one more aspect of him to fear. He wondered fleetingly whether this woman could handle him before he wrangled control of his erection with one broad hand.

"Yes!” The word broke from him on a groan before he could bite it back.

Usually he wasn't a talkative lover, but tonight he was too tightly coiled. Mesmerized by the nipple that remained so coyly half-hidden, he stroked his cock with long, tight pulls. The veins along his shaft stood out, probably mirrored by those in his neck as his heart pounded so hard he felt his pulse in his temples. Jerking off had never felt so good.

His thighs quivered as his imagination took over. He could see himself pulling the blanket free of her, exposing those mouthwatering breasts and the unending banquet of her delicate skin. Koll quickened his pace as he pictured his hands stroking up the insides of her thighs, pushing her roughly open, and placing the head of his cock right there at the opening of her den. She'd be wet, crushingly tight, and oh-so hot as he shoved into her. Her tight ring of muscle would massage him as he thrust, taking him right up to the base of his cock. He'd glisten with her juices and hear the quiet suck and squelch as he worked into her. That beautiful nipple would pucker between his lips while he licked it. There'd be no holding back. He'd stroke and pound and claim her sweet body until—

"Ah!"

Koll's balls drew up a split second before cum flooded over his abdomen and hand. His cock sent up surge after surge of wet pleasure, burning him more hotly than the nearby fire. Grunting through the contractions, he lifted his gaze from her milky breast to her lovely face. Another hard spurt of cum shot from his dick like a geyser.

By the time the tide receded, he shook all over and had to rely on the wall behind him for support. He was so sensitive that he moaned at the feel of his fingers releasing his spent cock. The sensation was enough to keep him from going completely limp, which wasn't unusual. He'd always been an extremely demanding lover, requiring more than one round to be completely satisfied.

Only when his cum cooled did shame hit him. Here he was, masturbating over an unconscious woman—one who was scared and alone and helpless. He was no untried boy unable to control himself. Where was his self-discipline? His self-respect?

Koll cleaned himself and tucked his cock back in his pants before approaching her. With a careful tug, he shifted the blanket to cover her all the way to her neck and then walked away. It looked as if he'd be sleeping on the floor for what was left of the night.

He already knew what he had to do. Tomorrow morning he'd go to the trading post to talk to the other villagers and see if anyone knew this woman and where she might have come from. A female with such lovely, unusual looks would certainly be missed and likely reclaimed in no time. If she'd been his, he never would have let her out of his sight.

The trading post, which was little more than an enclosed shack, was mostly used for gossip at this time of year. It served the same function during the day as the tavern did at night. Leaving his female guest still sleeping, Koll let Greyfell out before going to see what he could learn from his neighbors. This seemed like perfect timing since it was still early morning and the day promised to be overcast and windy.

There was a noticeable lull in the conversation the moment he ducked through the door and stomped his boots. Dozens of villagers were crammed inside, all standing since the trading post didn't have any chairs. A few of the men returned silent nods of greeting when he looked their way, but nobody called him over or walked up to meet him. The women—those without ribbons in their hair—avoided eye contact altogether. It was a stark reminder that he didn't quite fit in, even with people he'd known all his life.

Rolling his shoulders, Koll winced when he felt a twinge in his back. The floor had made for a miserable bed, but he hadn't dared lie any closer to temptation. It had been difficult enough finding sleep with a naked woman so close at hand.

Just as an image of her nude body formed in his mind, a familiar figure separated from a group of young women and approached him. Koll returned his focus to the present.

"Back so soon?” Gilby asked. “I figured you'd give it at least another couple of days. I thought you were determined not to fail this year."

Koll grunted. That was Gilby for you. Whereas Koll could be too curt and sparse with his words, Gilby never shut up and lacked anything resembling a verbal filter. Short where Koll was tall, carefree where he was solemn, Gilby was his opposite in every way. They'd been friends for as long as he could remember.

That didn't mean the man didn't irritate him.

"You're assuming I didn't succeed,” Koll pointed out. “Maybe I came back because I found a woman."

A woman with white hair and succulent breasts.

"Uh-huh.” Gilby returned a look that managed to convey disbelief and pity at once.

The latter especially rankled, even more so when Koll noticed the rest of his neighbors shared similar expressions. They'd expected him to fail, he realized. Just as he had last year and the year before that. They expected him to live alone for the rest of his life, as if he were some kind of freak no woman would want. That hit a sore spot.

"I have plenty to offer,” he growled, wishing he didn't sound so defensive.

Gilby had to aim high to slap his shoulder. “I know. Someday you'll find yourself a wife. Maybe you just have to lower your standards."

No filter. None.

Koll felt his scowl reach all the way to his eyebrows. What was that supposed to mean? Was he supposed to settle for a drunkard or a dolt or some hideous creature missing half her teeth? Was that all he was worth? Although he knew better than to let it get to him, his friend's words pricked his pride and sent his temper roiling.

"I don't have to lower my standards,” Koll snapped. “I have the perfect woman waiting in my bed right now."

"What?” Gilby froze.

So did the rest of the occupants inside the post. Damn, maybe his friend wasn't the only one lacking a filter.

"I brought her home with me last night,” Koll grumbled.

He was about to explain when he caught everyone's reaction. The awe and curiosity on his fellow villagers’ faces would have been comical if their expressions hadn't incited a tingle of pleasure. There was no sign of pity now. No, now they were interested.

He held his head a little higher.

For once, Gilby wasn't overflowing with words, but spoke slowly. “You found a woman?"

Koll nodded.

"Who is in your bed? Right now?"

"Yes."

"And you didn't bring her here so we could see her?” Gilby sounded torn between surprise and suspicion.

"No.” Koll shifted his weight uncomfortably. “She was exhausted, so I let her sleep."

A couple of his neighbors snickered.

Gilby didn't let it drop. “This is a real woman we're talking about, right?"

"Of course!” Did his friend think he was talking about some kind of doll?

"Your woman?"

"Yes!” The word escaped Koll with a snarl, and he was surprised by the surge of possessiveness that accompanied it.

He'd found the woman. He'd protected her and had taken her home. That made her his more than anyone else's in this village. He certainly wasn't going to allow the other males to sniff around her.

"And she's wearing your ribbon?"

"Yes!” Koll tensed the second his brain caught up. “I mean—"

Hell. He hadn't meant to say that. Now the lie was out there in the open and couldn't be taken back. He couldn't tell them it was a sham, not when they were looking at him with newfound warmth and respect. His neighbors actually appeared happy for him—surprised but genuinely happy. Their reaction healed some of the bruises his ego had taken.

"You mean...?” Gilby waited to hear the rest.

Koll answered more quietly. “She's not wearing anything at the moment."

More snickers.

"But she accepted my ribbon,” he lied again.

There was a moment of silence before a broad grin broke across his friend's face. “Well, let's see her,” Gilby announced with renewed excitement. “This is cause for a celebration. Congratulations, Koll. I told you you'd find a wife one day, didn't I? I know I did. I can't wait to meet her."

"It'll be a while,” Koll said.

A hint of suspicion returned to Gilby's gaze, but Elli, one of the elder women, spoke first.

"She's not his wife yet.” Elli made the pronouncement in a scratchy voice that nevertheless commanded attention. “He's got until spring to win her over."

She turned her slightly filmy gaze on Koll. “Bring her round when you're ready, boy, but don't wait too long. Women don't like to feel caged."

Koll suppressed his usual grunt and returned a respectful nod instead. His heart nearly stuttered as the reality of his predicament sank in. Thanks to his thoughtless lie, he now had to do what he'd never managed before.

Koll had to convince the woman to accept his ribbon.

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Shila sighed and stretched until her joints nearly popped. Her leg muscles were sore, but she was snuggly warm beneath the thick fur blanket. She was also surrounded by the mouthwatering scent of cooking fish, which made her lick her chops.

Wait a second. Fish? She popped her eyes open.

The ceiling above Shila looked nothing like the top of her den or any other icy burrow. When she inhaled more deeply, she was hit by a myriad of unfamiliar smells, one of which was quite close to her. She bolted into a sitting position, clutching her chest in time to catch the blanket before it slipped below her breasts. Her gaze landed on the man standing near the foot of the bed.

"Who are you?” she demanded.

She took in his coloring, which was far too dark for one of her people. He stared back at her with eyes like black ice, except the heat behind his gaze should have melted his irises. His hair was nearly the same hue, hanging in messy waves to the top of his wide shoulders. Even his skin was dark. It looked like dusky honey spread over his rugged features, tempting her to take a lick.

"Koll.” His voice was a low rumble that made her want to purr deep in her throat.

It was also a voice Shila recognized. The sound jogged her memory, as did his scent when she drew another deep breath. This was the man she'd stumbled upon in her flight from Tartok and Cikuq. The two males had stalked her for far too long.

"The males hunting me?” she asked.

"Don't know you're here.” Koll slowly lowered his head and sat on the corner of the bed as if he meant to make himself appear smaller. “You're safe, woman."

She would determine that for herself. Judging by his clothes, Koll was a villager, one of the clawless people who were confined to a single skin. Her people, the Children of Nanook, had started out as similar beings, but now they shifted between man form and that of the enormous frost bear. Her senses, and thus her perception of danger, were far keener than his.

From what Shila had observed, the clawless people were nearly scent-blind and had to rely on their wits to make up for their physical limitations. Not that Koll appeared to be physically lacking. In fact, he looked very strong and healthy. She liked the way he met her gaze without flinching.

"This is your den?"

"My home,” he said.

She was further pleased by his concise answer. Although she hadn't had much experience with villagers, she'd noticed many liked to natter and fidget, which made them sound and look like prey. This man was nobody's quarry.

"Thank you,” she told him. “I appreciate your help. I could not have run any farther."

He ignored her gratitude. “How many men are chasing you?"

"Two.” Shila curled her lip in disgust. “Brothers from the Suinnak clan. Unnatural males, for all that they allow their wild half to rule them. They want to share me as their mate. Several years ago, they found me and—"

She had to swallow against the bitter knot that suddenly clogged her throat. Tears pricked her eyes before she fought them back.

"They killed my mate, Imnek. He could have driven them off individually, but they fought together against him. They purposefully caused me to miscarry my twins so I'd be ready to breed again sooner."